FrannBilus
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Broker,REALTOR®,ABR®,MBA FrannBilus@GibsonSIRcom
617.759.4828 | frannbilus.com
Years of experience in the corporate world have led Frann to believe in the power of strategy, listening, and relationship building to provide the optimal service to her clients. She understands the nuances of the real estate industry and that no two clients?needs are the same. As a former strategic consultant to Fortune 500 companies, Frann provided a wide range of executives with business intelligence and advice on such issues as operations, research and development, acquisitions, and marketing With a focus on innovative marketing and creative problem solving,Frann has devoted her career to helping people accomplish their real estate objectives in all aspects of the purchase and sale of their homes Frann?s approach is highly analytical? she works diligently to advise her buyers and sellers on market insights and trends to provide unsurpassed results for her clients Having a reputation as a top negotiator, Frann is also known for cinching early access for her clients at The Four Seasons Residences at One Dalton Street and subsequently the luxury tower?s first sale. Frann?s communication style with buyers and sellers is clear,timely,and consultative, and her genuine care for her clients is what makes her job meaningful day after day.
A resident of Boston?s South End, Frann has a passion for city living and a nuanced knowledge of Boston?s lifestyle options and neighborhoods, from Back Bay and Beacon Hill to the South End and the Waterfront She is always excited to show off the vibrant and evolving residential neighborhoods to her clients, whether they are empty nesters looking for a full-service luxury high-rise or young professionals dreaming of a charming brownstone
Frann holds a Bachelor?s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA in Marketing from New York University?s Stern School of Business Her professional affiliations include the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, East Berkeley Neighborhood Association, National Association of REALTORS®, Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®, and the Real Estate Buyer?s Agent Council. She is a licensed real estate Broker, REALTOR®, and an Accredited Buyer?s Representative (ABR®) Frann is an avid supporter of Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP),The Vilna Shul,Bellesini Academy,Pine Street Inn,and The Pan-Mass Challenge
When she is not going above and beyond for her clients, Frann can be found either playing or taking in a game of tennis (she attends the US Open annually!), enjoying nature with a scenic and challenging hike,or keeping up with Boston?s vibrant theater and lecture scenes
WhyHireFrannBilus
The decision to purchase a home is likely one of the largest financial and lifestyle decisions you will make. By aligning yourself with a trusted advisor, you will be well positioned to find the right property, negotiate fair terms and overcome any obstacles that occur along the way
Leveraging our vast local expertise, industry connections, and resourceful tools, Gibson Sotheby?s International Realty will not only assist in helping you find the right home, but guide you through the entire purchase process
We have the keys to where you want to be
ClientsPut TheirTrust InMe
?Our experience with Frann was outstanding Her advice was crisp and easy to understand and discuss Her work ethic and attention to detail was far superior to anyone I have dealt with having personally bought and sold seven residential properties Net-net, we could count on her every step of the way Our situation wasn? t the easiest,and her persistence to make it happen was a key factor in our successful sale.Thanks,Frann!?? Seller
?We engaged Frann to help us purchase a condo in the Back Bay, and then subsequently help us sell it four years later. Her considerable knowledge of the market, deep experience in real estate transactions, marketing skills, and intensive attention to detail were quite impressive. Her advice and judgment, her interpersonal skills and integrity made dealing with her a pleasure If you want a true realtor focused on her clients?needs and not just a commission,she should be your top choice?? Seller & Buyer
?I highly recommend Frann Bilus as both a Buyer and Seller?s real estate agent. Frann has been a trusted advisor to me for the past eight years She first helped me purchase a condo in Cambridge.When I moved away,I asked her to act as rental property manager for the condo She found amazing tenants and managed the property on my behalf for many years Just recently she helped me sell the condo Everything was handled seamlessly by Frann and the property received multiple high quality offers.Throughout my long tenure as Frann?s client, she has been a pleasure to work with Her approach is one of mutual respect, transparency and directness, which I appreciate. She brings in-depth technical knowledge of the real estate market, uses a consultative approach with clients and has a business savvy that makes her an effective real estate partner On top of it all, she is friendly, caring and always acts with my best interests at heart. I have no hesitation recommending Frann to anyone looking for a superb real estate agent!?? Seller & Buyer
?I have now used Frann for two transactions and I can? t recommend her more highly. Her broad knowledge of what buyers are looking for and expertise in pricing our unit gave us an offer within days of putting it on the market and selling over asking price?? Seller & Buyer
ExperiencetheExtraordinary DifferenceofFrannBilus
MY BRAND MY CORE VALUES
LIFESTYLECOACH / ADVISOR
I help clients assess how to achieve their goals ? whether where they want to live for their respective stage in life, or how to invest intelligently in residential real estate
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS
I respectfully work with clients and brokers to bring parties together to achieve goals Ability to approach roadblocks with a clear head and collaborative mindset,always hearing your needs and putting them first.
ADAPTABLE, RELATABLE, GENUINE
Affable, thoughtful, cross-generational, honest in all situations and truly focused on the end goal.
BOUTIQUESERVICE
My business is built on effective listening and communications, advocacy, and negotiations, in any way that suits your busy life I have off-market access as a result of strong relationships with brokers and counterparties
DEEP EXPERTISEIN THOUGHTFUL ANALYSIS
MBA educated, I use my career in business intelligence, as well as market dynamics, analytics, and real-life experience to guide clients to their desired outcome
RELATIONSHIP FIRST
I strive to develop relationships that will be lifelong, and help you find solutions for your needs throughout your life. It?s not about one transaction
INTEGRITY DRIVEN
I am open, honest and straightforward throughout the entire process - ensuring I earn your trust
GOOD DECISIONS
I want to help people make the best decision for their needs and feel confident in the process
MY VALUE PROPOSITION
Lifestyle advisor bringing thoughtful analysis, honesty and integrity to clients so they can make the best-informed decisions and act with confidence
What Makesa TrustedAdvisor
- Focus on you,your goals,and building a long term relationship
- Knowledgeable of the market
- Great listener,communicator,and people skills
- Great chemistry
- Strong negotiator
- Creative problem solver
- Proactive and responsive
- Points our practical considerations, potential,and flaws
- Detail oriented and analytical
- Even-keeled
- Offers opinions but never steers
- Works collaboratively
- Tireless work ethic
STEPS TO BUYING A HOME
Thank you for considering Frann Bilus to represent you in your home purchase When working with Frann, you get a trusted advisor who will empower you to be successful.
01 | GET PRE-APPROVED
The first step of the home buying process is getting pre-approved for a loan. During this process, your mortgage lender will review your income and credit history to determine what size loan you are eligible to receive
02 | BEGIN THE SEARCH
Once you have determined your budget, we will meet to review your wishlist and desired timing and will begin your search. Together we will review inventory and visit properties
03 | SUBMIT AN OFFER
When you find a property that you love, we will submit an offer.The seller will respond in one of three ways: the seller accepts the offer, the seller makes a counteroffer,or the seller declines the offer.Based on the seller?s response, I will guide you through next steps
04 | HOME INSPECTION
Once your offer is accepted, you will schedule a licensed professional to visit the property and check for any needed repairs
05 | SIGN THE PURCHASE & SALE AGREEMENT
After the offer and terms are accepted, the seller?s attorney will draft a Purchase and Sale Agreement It states the final sale price and all terms of the purchase This binding contract needs to be reviewed by your attorney prior to you signing it.
06 | SIGN FINAL LOAN DISCLOSURES
Your mortgage lender will work with you to review all final loan documents
07 | APPRAISAL
The property will be reviewed by a licensed professional to assess its value.
08 | HOME INSURANCE
You will need to review various options and select your homeowners insurance policy
09 | FINAL WALK-THROUGH
Just prior to the closing, you will go through a final walk-through of the property This will ensure that the property is in the same condition as when you visited previously.
10 | CONGRATULATIONS!
Once you sign the final paperwork and exchange the payment,you are officially a homeowner.You will now receive the keys to your new home,congratulations!
KeyTerms
APPRAISAL
If you are receiving financing on your purchase, the bank will hire an appraiser to visit the property and provide a report to the bank detailing their assessment of what the home is worth to protect the banks?investment
ASSESSED VALUE
The value that the city or town sets to base real estate taxes on
CONDO / CO-OP FEE
The fee that the homeowner is responsible for on a monthly basis Condo fees cover different building expenses that cannot be allocated to individual owners. Some expenses covered by condo fees are water/sewer, heat, hot water, master insurance, management, reserve account,etc
CONTINGENT (CTG)
The property has an accepted offer Typically, the property is still available to be seen for potential backup offers.
UNDER AGREEMENT (UAG)
A purchase and sale agreement has been signed. The buyer is moving forward with the purchase
MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE (MLS)
A platform that agents submit their listings to with key information about the property and photos. Agents can put their buyers in the system to receive notifications when a property is listed with their search criteria such as price, square footage, number of bedrooms, etc Below are categories you will see within MLS updates.
NEW / ACTIVE
The property is either newly listed or active on the market.
SIGN IN SHEET
At open houses, listing agents may ask you to sign in You can sign in with my name, your name, and both of our contact information That way the listing agent will contact me for feedback and not add you to their prospect list.
TITLE SEARCH
The attorneys will do a title search on the property to make sure that there are no outstanding liens, unpaid taxes, or improperly filed previous bank discharges on the property before you close.
KeyTermsofOffer
- Offer Price
- Funding Purchase
- Deposits
- Purchase & Sale
- Agreement
- Inclusions
- Timing
- Contingencies
- Satisfaction with home inspection
- Financing
- Mutually acceptable
- P&S agreement
- Other
ReadytoMakeanOffer?What?sNext?
- Review market data
- Discuss strategy
- Decide price,timing,and other key items
- Prepare offer package:
- Offer to purchase
- Offer to purchase contingency addendum
- Copy of check for $1,000 payable to brokerage firm (escrow agent)
- Pre-approval letter or proof of substantial funds
- Property transfer notification certification (lead paint disclosure)
- Mandatory licensee consumer relationship disclosure
- Wire policy
What toConsiderWhenBuying
- Location
- Type and style
- Age and condition
- Features
- Amenities
- Define your needs
- Specify your wants
BuyerTimeline
- Get pre-approved for a mortgage
- Receive listing alerts via RealScout
- Begin looking at homes
- Make an offer to purchase
- Your offer is accepted
- Conduct home inspection
- Submit mortgage application
- Sign purchase and sale agreement
- Get your mortgage commitment
- Conduct final walk-through
- Close on your home!
- Create your wish list
- Prioritize
- Weigh trade-offs
- Keep in mind,your thinking will change over time!
ClosingCosts
These costs will all be paid at closing and will be detailed on your closing statement. All costs are approximate They vary by lender,locality,and law firm
BUYER ATTORNEY FEE
RECORDING FEE
VARIOUS LOAN ORIGINATION AND PROCESSING FEES
POINTS
APPRAISAL
MUNICIPAL LIEN CERTIFICATE
Average about $500+ Buyer should confirm with the attorney what is included in the fee and the cost of add-ons Some attorneys charge a flat fee or by the hour.
$400±
Average $1,000 to $1,800 depending upon lender
If applicable.
$400± to $575± depending upon property type.
$25 to $65 depending on locality
TITLE CHARGES
TITLE INSURANCE
HAZARD INSURANCE
DECLARATION OF HOMESTEAD PREP
TAX ESCROW
CONDO FEES
Title exam: $200, courier fee: $40, obtain MLC: $25, rundown fee: $35 Fees vary and should be confirmed with the closing attorney
About $4 per thousand of purchase price Confirm with the title company and closing attorney.
For single family and multi-family, most banks require a 1-year, prepaid insurance policy.
$65±
Pro rata of the quarterly taxes Confirm with the attorney and lender.
Pro rata of monthly condo fees For new construction, you may be required to contribute 3 months fees to reserve
What toExpect from YourBuyer?sAgent
A buyer's agent represents you, the buyer, during the home buying process. The agent has a fiduciary responsibility to represent only the home buyer's best interest in all aspects of the home buying process
The buyer?s agent is generally paid a commission at the time of the closing through an offer of compensation made to members of the Multiple Listing Service. Alternatively, the buyer can pay his/ her agent directly. The amount of compensation offered often is factored into the purchase price and is publicly displayed on most real estate-related websites.
Prepares a Comparative Market Analysis
TheRight Tools ForYour Search
DEPOSIT LINK
A simple, secure, and efficient way to send earnest money deposits electronically Payments clear in less than 24 hours You can safely send your deposits from anywhere. Track the status of transfers in real-time with your phone.
REALSCOUT
A collaborative home search tool that allows our clients and their buyer?s agent to share listings, compare properties and spotlight market alerts throughout the home buying process.
OFF MARKET & COMING SOON
Our powerful local network has access to exclusive off market inventory as well as properties before they launch on the MLS
SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY®WEBSITE AND APP
Our enhanced website now in 14 languages engages millions of buyers via high-resolution photography, 3D virtual reality tours, and ultra-high-definition videos. Listings from around the globe can be accessed seamlessly on any device and mobile users can directly text their buyer's agent from any listing page
PeopletoHaveonYourTeam
BUYER?S AGENT
Take your time to select a buyer?s agent with whom you feel comfortable discussing your goals and priorities in home buying. A good agent is knowledgeable in market prices, neighborhood qualities, and the offer process. In addition to helping you shop for homes, using their experienced eye to point out features and flaws in the home that you might otherwise miss, they will negotiate on your behalf and will be your advocate from the beginning of the process right through closing
REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY
Ask friends, co-workers or your real estate agent for referrals to a good real estate attorney Don? t be shy about interviewing them, and finding one you are compatible with, who regularly represents home buyers and sellers Your attorney should be reasonably affordable, accessible and not too busy for you
LENDER
Your lender is the one who assists you with borrowing the funds to purchase your home, typically in the form of a mortgage Your lender should have a variety of consistently competitive lending programs. They should also be accessible as you may need them on weekends or at night especially during the offer process.
INSURANCE AGENT
The insurance agent comes in after you have signed the purchase and sale agreement Most lenders will not close the sale until the buyer has purchased insurance on the home
HOME INSPECTOR
However similar they may seem, a home inspector is different than an appraiser The home inspector can enter the home buying process either before or after the offer is submitted The inspector takes a deep dive into the home's condition and points out any areas of concern Armed with this information, the buyer can ask the seller to complete some of these repairs themselves, lower the total purchase price,or terminate the sale altogether.
CONTRACTORS
You may need various contractors throughout the process to assess issues that came up at the home inspection, or provide estimates for work you would like to do once you purchase the home Your real estate agent can usually help you with references for good contractors, including plumbers, electricians, painters, contractors, movers and cleaners.
LocalExpertise, GlobalConnections.
#1Massachusetts Based Firm
Locally owned and operated, Gibson Sotheby?s International Realty is Massachusetts?s largest independent real estate company and the premier provider in luxury real estate across Eastern Massachusetts With over 500 expert real estate advisors throughout our 27 offices coupled with our powerful network of more than 1,110 Sotheby?s International Realty offices worldwide, we truly have the power to assist wherever your real estate needs may take you.
27 Local Offices
500 Local Agents
83 Countries & Territories
1,110 Global Affiliate Offices
Proudly serving Boston,Greater Boston,MetroWest, the North Shore,South Shore,South Coast and Cape Cod.
